Boy, this chapter went from difficult to easy to write. I originally had something completely different planned for the beginning of the chapter, but I got stuck and Marvel-Tolkien Fangirl (she's a Godsend, quite honestly) managed to help me out of the hole I had dug myself into. So, I guess this chapter is a little bipolar (going from sweet to bitter) but it is one of my longer chapters so I'm pretty content with it. I hope you all enjoy. :)

Oh, and brownie points to anyone who can find the OUAT reference. ;)


Chapter 11

Blinding Darkness

"Kill me, I'm a monster. You made me cruel but I'm not a failure. Kill me, I'm a monster. I beg you now 'cause I'm not a killer. Heal me, I'm a monster. You spill my blood cause I'm just a dreamer. Kill me, I'm a monster. You made me cry it will soon be over."

-Jean Pierre Taieb


Freyja stood alone in her chambers, glaring at the scraps of parchment and maps on her desk. She had scribbled notes down on any empty piece of parchment she had in hopes of finding a connection between Erland and Sigyn. The only thing she could see was herself, which wasn't exactly comforting. A link between the two might state the reason they had been targeted. If their connection to her was truly what the reason was, then any of her friends could become the next victim.

The map was out of the hope that the murderer targeted a specific area. But the two locations were almost completely opposite of each other. Then, there were the runes. Invidia and Ultio; jealousy and vengeance. Sigyn had been jealous that Loki choose her and Erland had wanted revenge on Thanos for genocide. There was so little to go on, but everything screamed that the murderer was trying to tell her something.

"Freyja…"

She stiffened at the voice before glancing around the room. There was no one with her, but she was certain she had heard something. With no evidence of another, she dismissed the sound and returned her attention back to her notes.

"Freyja."

Her head snapped back up again, certain she wasn't imagining things. It was a familiar voice, but she couldn't place it. She gazed around the room and still nothing caught her eye.

"Show yourself," she called out. "I am in no mood for games."

There was a laugh, "And yet you play so willingly."

She froze, glancing out of the corner of her eye in the direction of the voice. Only the mirror stood in her sight, reflecting the balcony from the angle at which she stood. She turned and walked slowly towards it on a whim. As she grew closer, her reflection became clear in the smooth surface. She took another glance around before turning around to walk back to the desk.

"Would you truly turn your back on me?"

Freyja spun on her heels to face the mirror once more. It wasn't her reflection she had seen, she realized, not entirely. It looked like her, but there was off about it. It carried itself in a more feral and there was the same dark glint in its eyes as Thanos had. It smirked at her as she stopped two feet away from the mirror.

"I thought not," it said. "Reflection or not, I can still hurt your family. Blind eyes will simply cause more to get hurt."

"Who are you?" she asked.

It's grin widened, "I'm your messenger, don't you know? Did you like my artwork?"

"Why hide behind my face if you're willing to risk speaking with me?"

"Because we're the same, Freyja, you and I. But while you're too afraid to right the wrongs committed, I'm willing to bring justice to Asgard. You're boring, but I make you interesting."

"You think murdering Erland and Sigyn was justified?" she demanded.

"Oh, but it was. As will the deaths of the next three."

She narrowed her eyes at the false reflection, "Why are you doing this?"

"I like to watch you dance as I pull the strings. And when you've broken from watching Asgard crumble around you, I'll kill you. You're last thought in this world will be that you could do nothing to stop me."

"What makes you believe I can't?"

It through back its head and laughed, "On Midgard, a man told my puppet that he lacked conviction. This one is different. This one has a reason to hate Asgard."

"Who are you?" she asked once more, unsure of what to make of her visitor.

It leaned in closer to the mirror but never broke through the surface, almost as if it was a window rather than a mirror, "I am what you would become if you so much as slip in your control."

A sudden knock on her door caused Freyja to jump in surprise. When she turned back to the mirror, the false reflection was gone and only a shaken version of herself was visible. The repeated knock brought her out of her reverie and she walked to the door.

Loki stood before her, smile fading as he saw her expression, "Is something wrong, love?"

"I've been attempting to discern information about the murderer with what he's left behind, but I can find nothing of importance," she replied, allowing him to walk in.

"Perhaps you need a break," he suggested, wrapping his long arms around her waist. "I always find taking a step back allows me to think more clearly."

She sighed, "I cannot afford to take a break when someone could die within the next hour."

"It's been three days, Freyja, and you haven't so much as set foot outside your door. No one is going to get hurt. The best you can do is not worry yourself too greatly and keep a level head."

"I will not allow this – this beast – to hurt the people I love. And if I turn away from it for a second, he or she will strike."

"You are being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" she repeated, turning around to face him. "I am being ridiculous?"

"Now, love, that was not what I-"

"It's ridiculous worry about a murderer on the loose, is it? It's ridiculous to hope for an answer in this mess? It's ridiculous to fear that tomorrow I may find Freyr dead on my doorstep? Or Sif, or Jane, or Thor, or you? Is that so ridiculous?"

"I understand you're concerned for us, but you have got to understand that there is nothing to find here," he replied, expression exasperated.

"Do you think I'm unaware of that?" she demanded, the helplessness overwhelming her once more. "There is nothing for me to find here or out there! I can do nothing but sit on the sidelines and wait for whoever is struck down next. But I don't expect you to understand. You've never lost anyone in your life."

"I've never lost anyone?" he asked, eyes dark with anger. "Have you forgotten that I thought you dead for the past millennium? That I watched Vanaheim's destruction with the belief that you, too, had been ripped away from me?"

She flinched, looking anywhere but at his eyes, "You know I did not intend to leave you in that way. And I ask you forgive me when I must do so again. I do not want this to happen, but isn't it always the way? I struggle desperately to protect everyone, but only end up hurting them myself."

His expression softened and he pulled her close to him, "It is not you, love. It has never been you who inflicts the wounds. Luck has simply never been in our favor. Despite what you believe, I will not allow you to leave so easily this time. And if you are taken away, I will make a deal with Death itself and make certain you return to me."

"Reincarnation does not reawaken the previous life," she pointed out.

He shrugged, "You would bear a different name, but you would still be my Freyja. We would elope to Midgard and never come back."

"Do you not think 'Loki' would draw suspicion?"

"I could use a different alias. Serrure, perhaps?"

"Serrure?" she echoed. "You've been speaking with Tony, haven't you?"

He grinned, "Only a little."

She rolled her eyes, "That man could not keep a secret if it would save his life."

"Now, are you or are you not willing to come with me?"

"Where are you going?" she asked in mock suspicion.

"Somewhere only we know," he answered with a mischievous glint in his green eyes.

He then let her go and opened the door, bowing with an elaborate flourishing of his hand, "After you, milady."

Freyja couldn't help the smile that crossed her face as she stepped through the door. It seemed as if it had been an eternity since they had behaved this way. If she ignored the pressing matters on her mind, it was almost as if nothing had occurred. As if time had returned back to when things were as simple as breathing. As if reading her mind, he took her arm and walked down the hall with her.

There was no need for words between them, as there was nothing left to say. He had dropped his mental barriers to allow her to see every emotion he felt. Overall, he was content with simply be with her. She pressed closer to him instinctively, causing a smile to cross his lips. He laced his fingers through hers and lowered their hands, allowing her closer.

"I hope you won't mind riding there," Loki said suddenly. "It is a little journey away."

"Of course not," she replied with a smile. "But where is it that you plan to take me?"

"Have patience," he said, laughing a little as he led her towards the stables. "You shall see soon enough."

It did not take long for them to saddle and bridle their horses before leading them from the stables. They walked beside the animals as Loki led her toward the wood line close by. When they reached the edge of the trees, he swung up onto his horse and watched her do the same.

"Care for a little race?" he asked. "If you think you're up to it."

She smiled as she gripped the reins, "I accept your challenge."

"Good," he replied before suddenly causing his horse to surge into the woods.

Not willing to let him win so easily, Freyja spurred her horse faster. It was not long before she had him in her sights but she could not seem to approach. She nudged the horse's flanks, trying to keep up with Loki as he raced through the woods on his own. Occasionally, he would glance back with a grin and speed up to keep her behind.

"Whatever is the matter?" he called, looking over his shoulder. "Can't keep up?"

Leaning down over the horse, she whispered oaths and pleads in her own language. The horse immediately responded, surging forward with twice his original speed. She maneuvered herself on her steed as she approached Loki until she was sitting backwards in her saddle. He frowned as she rode past, not realizing she was doing anything more than showing off. She grinned as she formed a small blade of energy and threw it at the billet strap.

Loki's eyes widened in surprise the second the strap snapped apart. Freyja laughed as he promptly slid off his horse and tumbled through the tall grass. She turned around in her saddle with her triumph guaranteed. It was only when she was fully facing forward that she saw that she had knocked over a projection. He was crouched on a low branch of an upcoming tree, waiting for her to straight for him.

She only had an instant to panic before he launched himself at her. They both fell off the horse, rolling repeatedly through the grass until they came to a stop. Loki positioned himself so that he kneeling over her, legs holding her waist in place while his hands sat on either side of her head.

"I win," he announced smugly.

"You knocked me off my horse," she exclaimed in disbelief.

"As did you," he laughed.

Freyja grinned despite herself, "You knocked a lady off her horse!"

"I said I could be a gentlemen, love, not that I would."

She grasped his arms, locked one leg around his, and used his weight to flip him onto his back. He struggled, though not enough to truly gain any leverage, as she straddled his hips. She smiled triumphantly.

"Perhaps I am not always a lady."

"Isn't that the truth," he said with a chuckle.

"Loki!" she cried out, loosening her grip.

He flipped her over easily and lowered himself until his face was mere inches from hers, "But I rather enjoy that about you. You're much more fun this way."

Before she could reply, he captured her lips against his. She wrapped her arms around to his back to pull him closer and angled her face to deepen the kiss. She moaned softly as his tongue slipped past her lips. There was no fight for dominance, but a slow, sweet rhythm of lovers long since meeting. Her eyes had fluttered closed as soon as his lips touched hers but she could still see him in her mind. Against the mix of wildflowers, she could make out the scent of his magic on his skin: the sharp tang of cinnamon mingling with the clean cold of mint. She lost herself against the cool of his skin and the dance of his tongue.

They were both breathing heavily when he pulled away. He rested his forehead lightly against hers, sighing contentedly.

"We have had so little time to ourselves since you're return," he murmured. "I have become quite greedy after your absence."

"So long as you do not pine for other women, I am content."

"How could I ever find a more perfect woman?" he asked, watching her carefully with his emerald eyes. "You are a beautiful woman, who loves an ugly man. A monster pretending to be a prince."

"I see no monster," she breathed. "Only a man who has made mistakes and is brave enough to admit them."

He shook his head in mock disbelief, "Only you."

Then, as if a switch had been turned, he became joking and light once more.

"We still have not reached our destination. And now we have lost the horses."

"We are perfectly capable of walking," she answered as he helped her to her feet.

"There's not much of a choice, is there?"

She laughed at his expression, "Lead the way, for I haven't the slightest idea where you wish to go."

He took her hand once more, "We should be almost there, now. Does this not look familiar?"

She glanced around at the trees, "Loki, we have been through every part of this forest at least once before. Where are we going?"

He peered at the overhanging moss between the trees before them, "You are about to find out."

He let go of her hand to walk forward and pull the curtain of plants out of the way. She ducked her head to walk under it, only to freeze at the sight that waited for her on the other side.

"Oh," she whispered as he stopped at her side.

It was the lake they would swim in as children. More than that, it was where they had gone the day before she had left for her journey through the Realms. It was exactly how she remembered it, clear as glass with a slow-flowing river feeding into it.

"Remember the week before you left Asgard when we were young?" he asked. "And I made it my goal to make sure you had the greatest final week in Asgard?"

She nodded, "No one had ever been so thoughtful in their gestures towards me."

"Well, ever since you first left, a few peculiar creatures have made their home here," he continued, causing the light to fade into darkness with the wave of his hand. "Watch."

She heard him pick up a stone among the reeds and toss it into the lake. As it hit the surface, little lights sparked to life within the water. She walked towards the water to get a better glimpse. The sound of Loki removing his armor and most of his leather echoed in the emptiness before he waded into the water, causing lights to flare up around his body.

"Care to join me?" he asked. "They're completely harmless. But disturb them and they glow like stars."

Not worrying about her tunic and trousers, Freyja followed him into the water. She watched as the miniscule creatures lit up around her, illuminating certain areas while throwing shadows on others. A smile crossed her face as she looked up to watch the darkness and light dance across the planes of Loki's body. When she was mere inches away from him, he leaned down to scoop her up in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist to keep from falling and one of his hands snaked up towards her curls.

"So much time has passed and yet you still continue to surprise me," she whispered, leaning into him.

"Perhaps it will never change," he replied. "Perhaps if we stay here long enough, the worlds will forget about us. And then we may never be separated."

"If only we could stop time."

"Maybe we can, if only for a little."

She barely heard the reply he whispered, but she didn't have time to think on his words as trailed his lips across her pulse. Her breath hitched as he pressed open-mouthed kissed up to her jawline. Her fingers toyed with the hair that clung to the nape of his neck, searching for a purchase to hold onto reality. He dipped her backwards slightly as his mouth moved back down to the hollow between her collarbones.

"Loki," she moaned, her pulse racing as he continued his ministrations.

She felt his soft chuckle reverberate through his chest before pushing him away slightly. He raised his eyebrows at the gesture but did not complain as she met his lips. Among the darkness and luminescent creatures surrounding them, they felt as if time had stopped. And so they relished every second until they knew they had to return. But that was not too soon. In the solitude of the woods, there was no one to interrupt them. They used the fact to their advantage.


Loki and Freyja walked back into the village surrounding the palace at a leisurely pace, talking quietly amongst themselves. The crowd parted easily for the two as they ambled aimlessly along the cobblestones. Halfway through their conversation, they came across Thor and Jane.

"Freyja! Loki!" Jane called, waving at them.

Loki frowned thoughtfully, "I do believe I may be quite fond of Jane."

"I knew that the moment you had her grow feathers," she replied as they walked forward. "You still have not told me how you managed to do so."

He smirked at her, "Maybe one day I will tell you."

Jane beamed excitedly as her eyes glanced over anything they could reach. She barely managed to keep focused on Loki and Freyja as they approached.

"It seems you had the same thought we did," Freyja said to Thor.

He smiled happily, "I thought Jane would like a tour of the city."

"I still can't believe this is Asgard," Jane noted quickly. "It's so beautiful here."

"It is quite lovely in its own right, isn't it?" Freyja admitted with a short glance around.

"But it was said to be dull compared to Vanaheim," Thor pointed out. "If you are to believe the Vanir."

"That's hard to believe," Jane replied in awe.

Loki smiled, "It is, especially when no outsider has been to Vanaheim since the war."

"Has he shown you the remnants of the Bifrost?" Freyja asked her, hoping to change the subject.

"No, he hasn't. Is it really a rainbow bridge?"

"Perhaps not in the way you believe," Loki replied. "But it does shimmer with every color known to the Realms."

"Perhaps it is better to show her," Freyja suggested.

Thor smiled, "You're right. We should see your I-stein-rose bridge."

"Einstein-Rosen Bridge," she corrected with a laugh.

Loki shook his head, "An Einstein-Rosen Bridge is created when gravity acts as a tunnel to connect two points in space-time. The Bifrost has very little to do with gravity and the energy held within is used to propel the target through space-time to his destination. It is much more efficient than your bridge."

Freyja rolled her eyes as Jane and Thor looked shocked.

"So it's not an Einstein-Rosen Bridge?"

"By the Yggdrasil, no!" he scoffed. "But your people were close to understanding complex mechanisms of magic and relativity. Much more profound than simply believing it to be a rainbow."

"Let us waste no more time," Thor announced, taking Jane's arm.

"Do you mind if we join you?" Freyja asked.

"You don't need to ask," Jane replied. "Besides, maybe you can explain a little how science and magic relate. Thor says he's not very good with magic."

"Yes, I recall trying to explain to him why he could not be awakened," Freyja replied as Thor flushed slightly. "He always was so stubborn. It is a trait he inherited from Odin."

Loki leaned in to whisper into her ear once she had finished, "The Allfather knows you warned Jane, but he cannot discern where you found a loophole in your vows of silence."

"Let him wonder how I eluded him," she replied, keeping her voice low. "Perhaps he will tread more carefully around me."

"You need to be more careful. Anger him any more than you have and he will not remain idle."

She opened her mouth to reply, but was caught off guard when someone bumped into her. When she turned to face the man, she froze in shock at what she saw. He was cloaked in gray robes, but she could still make out the pale blue-gray skin, golden mouthpiece, and bloodied lips. Only once before had she seen him, no more than another guard passing by her prison, but it was enough to recognize him.

"Freyja?" Loki asked, following her line of vision.

Before he could say any more, the Other began to push people out of the way as he began to run. Freyja gave chase, ignoring Loki and Thor calling after her. She pushed herself harder in attempt to reach him. He stayed ahead, looking back occasionally to check if she was still behind him. She could vaguely hear Loki and Thor chasing after her but she didn't slow down to let them catch up.

The Other knocked over a vegetable cart as he ran. Freyja leapt over it and ran faster. If he was in Asgard, he could easily be the murderer. He had been one of Thanos's cronies and so he could still be carrying out his work. She could finish the threat to Asgard, but only if she caught him.

He turned a corner to an abandoned alley and she followed, a blade of energy forming in her hand. With no one in the way to get hurt, she threw the blade at him. His back arched as it sunk into the base of his spine and he tumbled to the ground. She drove another into his leg when she reached him, turning him over to see his face. He laughed as she ripped away the fabric that covered his eyes, revealing completely black orbs that glistened like polished obsidian.

"Princess Freyja of Vanaheim," he said, voice hoarse. "It is lovely meet you once more."

"You're not the murderer," she muttered to herself.

"Oh, no," he chuckled. "That would be someone else. I am merely here as a diversion."

She narrowed her eyes at him, ignoring Thor and Loki's panting as they reached the two, "A diversion?"

"Foolish princess, falling all too easily for his plans. He knows exactly where you are weak."

"He?"

"Yes, he is finishing Thanos's work. He promised your Jotun prince something to make him long for pain instead, and vowed you would suffer for the inconveniences you caused him. Now his pawn will make certain it comes true."

"Who is his pawn? Tell me or you will experience the same pain the victims' have."

"You will get no answers from me," he hissed. "I would rather burn alive for eternity than betray Thanos."

"So loyal to your master. Thanos is dead, and there is nothing except death that will greet his followers."

"Let death come," he laughed. "But you will watch everything fade. And when Ragnarok comes, you will be the only one left. You will be condemned to bear your guilt in silence and solitude. And when you take your own life to dull the pain, you will remember that all that occurred was caused by your own actions."

"You said you were a diversion. A diversion for what?"

He glanced past her before grinning, "Poor mortal girl, left all alone in such a large realm. A shame how fragile they can be."

Freyja stared at the Other in shock before looking over her shoulder at Thor and Loki, "Where is Jane?"

Looks of realization passed slowly over the two princes' faces as they put together what the Other was saying.

"It is too late," the Other laughed. "You made the foolish mistake, Freyja, and now you have paid the price. He warned you not to turn your back on him."

He shifted, arm turning at an odd angle, "But you will receive no more from me. Enjoy your castigation, princess."

In a quick, smooth movement, he pulled a knife from his belt and drove it through his own chest. Freyja leapt back, horrified as black blood spilled from the wound and the Other fell still. She turned slowly, mind racing at all that had happened.

"Where is Jane?" she asked again, enunciating each word carefully.

Without waiting for an answer, she ran back the way they came. She ran as fast as she could, hoping against hope that the Other's words had not been true. How could she be so foolish as to leave Jane alone with a murderer on the loose? She mentally chastised herself for her mistake as she reached the street where she had first seen the Other.

"Jane!" she yelled over the crowds, scanning her surroundings for the woman.

Spotting an opening in the crowd that led to a small alleyway, she raced down it. A cry escaped her lips as she reached the end. Laying sprawled at odd angles on the cobblestones and unmoving as stone was none other than Jane Foster. Her knees gave way and she crumpled to the floor next to the mortal.

"Jane!" Thor yelled as he saw her.

Freyja moved aside to allow Thor to cradle his love's lifeless body, staring down at the ground in guilt. She could not make out the pleas Thor whispered to Jane as he did so. Her mind was swimming through the shame and disbelief as she stared at the corpse of another friend. Loki kneeled down beside her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Freyja? Are you alright?"

She reached forward slowly, pulling out a scrap of parchment crumpled in Jane's hand. It, too, bore a single rune like the rest. Lucrum.

"This was targeted at Thor," she breathed.

He looked down at the rune, "Greed? But neither Thor nor Jane are guilty of greed."

"Lucrum has two meanings," she explained emptily, barely thinking as she spoke. "The modern version refers to greed of power or wealth, but it's archaic form meant arrogance and vanity. The murderer could not kill Thor for his crimes, so he struck where it would cause the most pain."

Loki opened his mouth to speak but she quickly cut him off.

"This is my fault."

"This had nothing to do with you."

She looked at him carefully, expression broken and pained, "But it does. He warned me to never turn my back. I should have watched everyone I cared for, but I left Jane unprotected. He is killing these people to get to me. And he won't rest until he has watched me fall completely."

Loki remained silent, unable to respond. Instead, he pulled her closer and watched as his brother and love grieved over Jane. Silently, he felt guilty, as well, for he had also left the woman alone.